All your friends are applying for college, but you are overwhelmed with the whirlwind of decisions and expectations. Although you know you want to attend college, you have no idea what you want to study. And while you don’t want to lose momentum, you want a break from routine. Have you considered taking a different route? A “gap year” is when someone takes approximately 12 months “off” between finishing high school and starting college. This time can be an opportunity for self-discovery, personal growth, and unforgettable experiences. It can enable you to mature and rejuvenate. In this post, we offer a list of options to consider for a gap year.
Travel
Whether you choose to backpack through Europe on your own or take an immersive travel experience that establishments such as Where There Be Dragons, EF, and many other organizations curate for young travelers, the adventure will broaden your horizons and open your mind to new cultures, perspectives, and ways of life. As you discover the world, you will have the time and space to reflect on your passions, interests, and aspirations.
Experiences
Education is not confined to a classroom, as we learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Imagine studying marine biology while scuba diving off the Great Barrier Reef, learning a new language in the country of origin, or mastering the outdoors through NOLS or Outward Bound. While I did not take a full gap year, I went on an archaeological dig over the summer between my first and second years of college, and I not only discovered a piece of a 3,000-year-old artifact, but I also discovered myself. The experience was transformational.
Internships
You can use the gap year to explore your career options. Ask your friends’ parents and your parents’ friends about people they know who could open doors for you. Set up a LinkedIn profile, create or revise your resume, send cover letters, and prepare for interviews.
Volunteering
Organizations such as and AmeriCorps need strong arms to build low-cost homes for community members. Or, you could use your skills of persuasion with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society advocacy to convince legislators to put the needs of cancer patients first.
Research
Do you want to learn more about biotech? Consider the Research Science Institute. Is your head in the stars? Consider . You can find hundreds of opportunities to conduct academic research before you begin college.
Postgraduate Studies
You can use your gap year to prepare for college. According to Boarding School Review, 138 boarding and private schools, including , , and , offer a postgraduate year to help high school graduates prepare for college. If you enjoy the open seas, consider Semester at Sea or its competitor, Seamester. If you are more of a land lover, check out Temple University in Japan. If you want to, or must, stay close to home, your local community college likely offers many study opportunities. And if you want to try something nonacademic and have always dreamed of being on Master Chef, try culinary school for the year.
A gap year after high school isn’t a detour; it’s a scenic route that can lead you to a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you. Your gap year is an investment in your future that pays dividends beyond academics. So, take the road less traveled, and watch your horizons expand in ways you never thought possible.
By Natalie Grinblatt, former admissions dean/director at three top business schools. Natalie has reviewed more than 70,000 applications, interviewed more than 2,500 candidates, and trained nearly 700 admissions directors and alumni volunteers to select outstanding candidates for admission. Her clients gain admission to top programs, including those at Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, MIT, Cornell, Columbia, Berkeley, Chicago, Northwestern, and NYU. Natalie holds an MBA from Michigan Ross. Want Natalie to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!
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